ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst baseball team rallied in the ninth but came up short in extra innings, falling to Millikin University 8-2 in 10 innings.
 
Millikin (15-19, 6-12 CCIW) scored a run in the first on Frank Barnes' RBI single. The Big Blue added a run in the fourth on Brian Ekiss' run-scoring single
 
Elmhurst (12-23, 5-13 CCIW) struggled to get anything going for the first eight innings before breaking through in the ninth. Brandon Kressner led off the inning with a single and Ben Havel followed with a single.  Zach Tsiodras singled to center to drive in Kressner and chase Millikin starter Max Paolicchi in the process. Millikin threw out the lead runner at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt but an infield single from A.J. Compton loaded the bases for Elmhurst. Mike Rostine lifted a sacrifice fly to left to drive in the tying run, but a groundout stranded the winning run at second base.
 
Things fell apart for the Bluejays in the top of the 10th.After a single and a sacrifice bunt, a walk to Erik Schurtz put runners on board at first and second. Frank Barnes put the Big Blue back in front with a two-run triple to right center field. A pair of Elmhurst errors and multiple wild pitches helped the Big Blue tack on four more runs in the inning to pull away for the 8-2 victory.

Kressner led Elmhurst at the plate, finishing 3-for-5 with a run scored. Tsiodras added two hits and drove in a run for the Bluejays.
 
Havel made the start and took a no-decision for Elmhurst. He allowed five hits and two runs in eight innings of work. Havel walked two while fanning six. Erik Swanson took the loss in relief, allowing two hits, two runs and a walk in 1.1 innings of work.
 
Paolicchi worked eight innings for Millikin and finished with a no-decision. He scattered seven hits and one walk while allowing two runs. Paolicchi fanned eight in the contest. Ben Peters pitched two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win for the Big Blue.

Elmhurst travels to Concordia University-Chicago tomorrow, April 28.